The most prevalent itinerary in the American West, according to real travel data

Accounting for nearly 93% of travel requests to the United States at Authentik USA, the American West clearly stands out as as travellers’ top choice. Faced with such popularity, one question naturally arises: which itinerary should you choose to get it right first time?

To answer this, we analyzed 1,500 road trips booked accross the West between 2021 and 2026. Drawing on this real-world data, we identify the statistically dominant itinerary through the American West.

What is the statistically dominant itinerary in the American West?

Based on 1,500 booked road trips, the statistically dominant itinerary in the American West clearly emerges as a linear journey across the region’s most iconic landscapes: San Francisco → Yosemite → Mammoth Lakes → Death Valley → Las Vegas → Zion → Bryce Canyon → Lake Powell → Monument Valley → Grand Canyon → Los Angeles. This route corresponds to the sequence most frequently observed in 17- to 19-day trips, which is the main duration of Authentik sales.

Itinerary Map

Detailed Table

Some stops stand out strongly in the data, such as Yosemite (53.3% occurrence at stage 2), Mammoth Lakes (68.7% at stage 3), or Zion (74.9% after Las Vegas). This core itinerary combines major parks, legendary roads, and iconic cities, while staying consistent with the observed average duration of 18 days.

Methodology: This itinerary is based on the analysis of 1,500 road trips booked in the Western United States between 2021 and 2026. The stops were identified sequentially, considering only the previous city, in order to reveal the most frequent sequences. The percentages shown should be read as frequencies observed among comparable itineraries, not as a universal standard. The average nights are calculated exclusively for the dominant stage.

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What is the most common duration for a trip to the Western USA?

According to the 1,500 trips analyzed, the average duration of a road trip in the Western United States is 18 days. The data shows that the trip is mainly part of longer stays: nearly 40% of itineraries last between 14 and 18 days, while about a third of travelers extend their trip between 19 and 23 days.

Shorter stays of less than two weeks do exist, but remain in the minority, as they involve a lot of driving in a short timeframe, which can quickly become intense!

Is it common to travel to the Western USA as a family?

Yes, very clearly. 69.5% of Authentik trips in the West include children (2021-2026), making the road trip a particularly popular choice for families.

Among these family trips, 51% involve families with 2 or 3 children, a setup that directly influences the design of itineraries: balanced stages, reasonable driving distances, suitable accommodations, and activities accessible to all ages.

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According to the data, what is the most frequent time to visit the West?

According to Authentik USA’s 2021-2026 sales data, 66.4% of departures take place in June, July, and August, making summer the most popular season.

However, spring is gaining traction, with 11% of departures in April, while September and October attract 13.2% of travelers, drawn by calmer conditions.

Is it better to travel solo or as part of a group in the USA?

The sales data shows that road trips in the West are rarely taken solo. The vast majority of trips bring together groups of 2 to 5 travelers, with groups of 4 making up more than 40% of road trips.

Do travelers prefer !!!VR!!! or cars for a road trip in the American West?

Of the 1,500 road trips analyzed, 55.2% were taken by car, compared with 44.8% by RV. The car remains slightly more common, especially for families and travelers seeking more flexibility in accommodations.

The RV still plays a very important role, representing nearly 1 in 2 trips, particularly on longer itineraries!

Is it better to opt for a loop or a linear itinerary in the American West?

The data shows a nearly perfect balance: 50.94% of itineraries are loops, compared with 49.06% linear itineraries. Some travelers prefer returning to the starting point, others opt for a journey from point A to point B to cover more ground.

Faced with the sheer number of itineraries, opinions and recommendations about travelling through the American West, data offers a valuable perspective (perhaps my more analytical side showing through).

This article is not intended to impose a single, definitive itinerary, but rather to reduce uncertainty by drawing on the real travel experiences of Authentik USA travellers. The figures do not replace your personal preferences, but they do provide solid foundations for building a road trip that truly makes sense for you. Justine, Content Marketing Manager (LinkedIn)

Sources

The analyses presented in this article are based exclusively on Authentik USA sales data, from 1,500 road trips actually booked in the Western United States between 2021 and 2026. These are real trips sold, not just intentions or inquiries, allowing us to identify trends observed from actual journeys.

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